Welcome to our podcast page, O! What a City! Here you will see the script for the podcast that the third and fourth grade wrote themselves. We will embed the audio file of the podcast into this website as soon as it becomes available. You can click on the links in the Table of Contents to take you to the different sections of the script.
Hi! I'm Emma.
And I'm Molly.
We're from Gethsemane Lutheran School, and this is O! What a City!, a podcast all about Omaha!
[music]
Omaha, Nebraska, is located on the eastern edge of the state and practically in the middle of the country. It is about 1,000 miles away from Washington D.C.
In our podcast, you will hear about famous people from Omaha, landmarks in the city, the climate here, and much more! Let's get things started with a little history lesson from our friends, Lacey and Jaxson.
[music]
History Lesson
Hi! I'm Lacey...
and I'm Jaxson...
and we're going to give you a little history lesson about Omaha.
Omaha was founded in 1854 by the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company. Because it is right on the Missouri River, the town of Omaha grew to be the biggest city in the territory of Nebraska. In that same year, Omaha was chosen by the United States government to be the capital of the new Nebraska Territory.
Omaha continued to grow, but the city really grew fast when the Union Pacific Railroad Company built its headquarters in Omaha. The Union Pacific Railroad Company was one company chosen to help build a railroad across the United States. The headquarters are still in Omaha today at 14th and Dodge in downtown Omaha. It continues to be a big part of the economy in Omaha today.
Thanks for listening to our history lesson!
[music]
Emma: Thanks, guys! That was really interesting. Next up is our very own Professor Nicholas with a geography lesson.
Geography Lesson
Hi, I'm Professor Nicholas with your geography lesson.
The city of Omaha takes up 77,229 square miles. There are 424,482 people living in the city. That makes Omaha the largest city in Nebraska and the 40th largest city in the country! Kansas City is close to the same size as Omaha. The nearest major city is Lincoln, Nebraska, which is about 60 miles away.
The land in Omaha is very flat in some places, and very hilly in others. In the western part of the city, the land gets flatter. But in the eastern part of the city near the Missouri River, the land has some steep hills. The city of Omaha has a few lakes, but not many. One lake in the southwest is Lake Zorinski. It is named after a famous politician from Omaha. Another lake in the northern part of the city is Standing Bear Lake, which is named after a famous Indian chief.
Downtown Omaha has lots of tall, sturdy buildings. The Old Market area of downtown is filled with restaurants, museums, theaters, and shops. It is a historic district in the city.
This is the end of our geography lesson. Class dismissed!
[bell sounds]
Molly: Thanks, Professor. I hope I took good enough notes so I can pass the test! [laughter] Next up we have Colton and Merrick with our Landmark Spotlight.
[music]
Landmark Spotlight
Hey, my name is Merrick...
and I'm Colton, and we're going to talk about the landmarks of Omaha.
One famous landmark is the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Omaha. At 3000 feet long, the bridge is the longest footbridge connecting two states. That means that you can walk from Nebraska, over the Missouri River, and into Iowa!
The bridge is meant to be a symbol of the unity between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha. It is named after former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerry, who got most of the money for the bridge from the United States government.
The bridge was started in October of 2006 and was finished on September 28, 2008. It cost $22 million to build.
Another landmark in Omaha is the Omaha Children's Museum. The Children's Museum is a very fun place for kids to go play, learn, and explore. It is a very imaginative environment.
There are two stories with fun, toys, games, crafts, and things to explore. The Charlie Cambell Science Center is awesome! The center has different machines that have interesting ways to move little plastic balls into a tank in the ceiling. When the siren sounds, the tank opens and dumps out all the balls inside it!
The lower level is the largest level with permanent exhibits. The upstairs changes throughout the year. Some exhibits that they have had include Speed and Sesame Street's Body exhibits.
We hope you enjoyed this part of our podcast! If you visit Omaha, be sure to check out these landmarks!
[music]
Emma: That was great, you two! Every visitor to Omaha should check those places out. Now it's time for Jake and Sabrina to come and talk about the weather!
Climate Corner
Hey, there! My name is Sabrina...
and my name is Jake...
and this is Climate Corner where we will talk about the weather in Omaha throughout the year.
I will start by telling you about winter in Omaha. Winter is like you are in an ice cube here. It can get very cold in the winter time. The average high temperature in winter is about 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low temperature is around 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Omaha gets lots of ice and snow in winter. Here's Jake with more about spring.
Thanks, Sabrina. Spring is usually warm, muddy, and rainy in Omaha. Green plants start to come back after a long winter.Our average high temperature for the spring months is right around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Our average lows are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during this season. Sabrina, can you tell us about summer?
Sure, Jake! Summer is the warmest season in Omaha. It can get very hot and sticky here in summer. Our average high temperatures are in the upper 80's, while the average lows are in the lower 70's. July and August are the hottest months. Temperatures can easily get over 90 degrees Fahrenheit! That makes these months great for going swimming and playing in the water! What can you tell us about fall, Jake?
Fall feels a lot like spring with less rain. The average high temperatures in the fall are in the mid-60's, while lows are usually in the 40's. Many of the trees in Omaha lose their leaves in the fall. The leaves turn all sorts of reds, yellows, and oranges before they fall to the ground.
If you are coming to visit Omaha, you should come in the summer time. There are lots of things to do outside, and the weather is usually very nice.
That's it for Climate Corner! Back to you, Molly and Emma!
[music]
Molly: The weather here sure does change a lot from season to season! It is nice to see all the changes. Next up is Elizabeth with Famous Friends.
[music]
Famous Friends
Hi! I'm Elizabeth, and this is Famous Friends!
In this segment, you will hear about Preston Love, Malcom X, Henry Fonda, and Fred Astaire.
Let's start with Preston Love. Preston was a famous musician who came from Omaha. Her started playing the sax at age 15, and by age 22 he was a member at the Count Basie Orchestra, a jazz group, during the 1940s. When he got older, he played and wrote songs for many popular singers like the Temptations, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder. Preston Love died in 2004.
Next we'll hear about Malcom X. Malcom Little was born in Omaha in 1925. In the 1960s, Malcom Little changed his name to Malcom X to bring attention to the way African slaves were treated when they were brought to America to be slaves. Malcom X was a big leader in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. He was killed in 1965.
Now let's hear about Henry Fonda. Henry was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, about 2 hours west of Omaha. When he was a baby, his family moved to Omaha. As a young man, Henry began acting with the Omaha Community Playhouse. From there he went on to act on stage, television, and in the movies.
Finally, let's talk about Fred Astaire. Fred Astaire was born in Omaha. He grew up to be one of the best-known dancers in early movies.
Thanks for listening to Famous Friends!
[music]
Emma: Wow! I had no idea that so many famous people came from Omaha. We have sure learned a lot of interesting things about Omaha's past. Now let's talk about what is happening now! Carson and Weston are here to let us know what we can do for fun here.
[music]
That's Entertainment
Hi! I'm Carson!
And I'm Weston...
And this is That's Entertainment!
One thing to do for entertainment in Omaha is to visit the Fontenelle Forest. Fontenelle Forest is a state park. They have different trails like the Racoon Trail and the Deer Trail. They have a playground and a boardwalk (if you don't like to touch the ground when you walk). They have a lot of trees, lakes, and a river, too. If you like the great outdoors, Fontenelle Forest is the place to be!
Another thing to do for fun is to visit a place in western Omaha called Boingz. Boingz is a really fun place. They have five different bouncy houses. One of them is a huge obstacle course. They also have an arcade. For $7 per child, you can bounce and run and play in their bouncy houses all day.
Next up is Skate Daze. As the name says, Skate Daze is a place to go skating. But they don't stop there! There are many other things that you can do at Skate Daze. Pick up your lasers, because Skate Daze has laser tag! It is a great game for both kids and adults. Skip the gym - the rock-climbing wall gives you all the workout you need! It builds strength in your arms and legs. If video games are more your thing, Skate Daze has a great arcade! There is a lot of stuff there to keep you entertained all day.
One final place to go for entertainment is The Amazing Pizza Machine. This pizza place has great food and much more! If you're too young to drive, you can cruise around on the go-kart track. They also have glow golf there! The Amazing Pizza Machine is a great place to go and hang out with your friends.
There are so many fun things to do in Omaha! These are just a few of the fun places you can go when you visit!
I'm Carson...
...and I'm Weston....
...and THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!
[music]
Molly: I think those boys really like video games! Every place had an arcade! You know one place I like to go for fun, Emma?
Emma: Where's that?
Molly: Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna! They have haunted houses, food, games, hay rides, pig races, and lots more! You can even pick your own pumpkin and apples! They're only open in the fall, but I look forward to going there every year.
Emma: You're right, Molly. Vala's is a really neat place. Lots of people visit it every year.
Molly: If your idea of entertainment is more along the lines of people hitting each other to control a puck or ball, then Omaha won't disappoint you, either! Here are Caleb and Mason to talk to you now about sports.
[music]
Sports Central
Hi, I'm Mason
and I'm Caleb
and this is Sports Central.
We've got some great sports teams here in Omaha, like the Beef football team.
And the Royals baseball team, which plays at Rosenblatt Stadium next to the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Football is a popular sport in Omaha. Many people here are big fans of the UNL Huskers. Even though the team plays its home games in Lincoln, many people from Omaha make the 60 mile drive to Lincoln to cheer on the Big Red. Eric Crouch was a quarterback for the Huskers who came from Omaha. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2001.
Besides college football, Omaha has its own professional football team. Founded in 1999, the Omaha Beef are celebrating their 10th season of indoor football in Omaha. The Omaha Beef play at the Omaha Civic Auditorium downtown. Besides the football team, the Omaha Beef also have a men's dance team called the Rump Roasters. The team's mascot is a bull named Sir Loin.
Every summer, the best college baseball teams meet in Omaha for the College World Series. For a week in June, Omaha has lots of activity as people come from all over the country to watch some really great baseball at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Omaha has other sports, too, including hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and many other college sports with Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
That's Sport's Central!
[music]
Emma: Thanks, boys! There really is a lot for sports fans here in Omaha! Next up is Nicholas with Leisurely Living.
[music]
Leisurely Living
Hi! I'm your city expert, Nicholas, and this is Leisurely Living.
There are lots of relaxing things you can do here in Omaha. We have parks for picnics, baseball games, pumpkin patches, zoos, and museums! Rosenblatt Stadium is great for watching minor league play from the Omaha Royals, or College World Series games in June.
The central park in downtown Omaha has huge slides. You can bring a bag and slide down for lots of fun! Omaha is great for these activities in the summer time because it is hot in the summer and nobody wants to stay inside on a hot summer day!
This is Nicholas and you have been listening to Leisurely Living.
[music]
Conclusion
Molly: Omaha sure is an interesting city! We're so glad that you have taken the time to listen to our podcast.
Emma: This podcast has been brought to you by Mr. Schmidt's third and fourth grade class at Gethsemane Lutheran School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Table of Contents
Intro
Hi! I'm Emma.
And I'm Molly.
We're from Gethsemane Lutheran School, and this is O! What a City!, a podcast all about Omaha!
[music]
Omaha, Nebraska, is located on the eastern edge of the state and practically in the middle of the country. It is about 1,000 miles away from Washington D.C.
In our podcast, you will hear about famous people from Omaha, landmarks in the city, the climate here, and much more! Let's get things started with a little history lesson from our friends, Lacey and Jaxson.
[music]
History Lesson
Hi! I'm Lacey...and I'm Jaxson...
and we're going to give you a little history lesson about Omaha.
Omaha was founded in 1854 by the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company. Because it is right on the Missouri River, the town of Omaha grew to be the biggest city in the territory of Nebraska. In that same year, Omaha was chosen by the United States government to be the capital of the new Nebraska Territory.
Omaha continued to grow, but the city really grew fast when the Union Pacific Railroad Company built its headquarters in Omaha. The Union Pacific Railroad Company was one company chosen to help build a railroad across the United States. The headquarters are still in Omaha today at 14th and Dodge in downtown Omaha. It continues to be a big part of the economy in Omaha today.
Thanks for listening to our history lesson!
[music]
Emma: Thanks, guys! That was really interesting. Next up is our very own Professor Nicholas with a geography lesson.
Geography Lesson
Hi, I'm Professor Nicholas with your geography lesson.
The city of Omaha takes up 77,229 square miles. There are 424,482 people living in the city. That makes Omaha the largest city in Nebraska and the 40th largest city in the country! Kansas City is close to the same size as Omaha. The nearest major city is Lincoln, Nebraska, which is about 60 miles away.
The land in Omaha is very flat in some places, and very hilly in others. In the western part of the city, the land gets flatter. But in the eastern part of the city near the Missouri River, the land has some steep hills. The city of Omaha has a few lakes, but not many. One lake in the southwest is Lake Zorinski. It is named after a famous politician from Omaha. Another lake in the northern part of the city is Standing Bear Lake, which is named after a famous Indian chief.
Downtown Omaha has lots of tall, sturdy buildings. The Old Market area of downtown is filled with restaurants, museums, theaters, and shops. It is a historic district in the city.
This is the end of our geography lesson. Class dismissed!
[bell sounds]
Molly: Thanks, Professor. I hope I took good enough notes so I can pass the test! [laughter] Next up we have Colton and Merrick with our Landmark Spotlight.
[music]
Landmark Spotlight
Hey, my name is Merrick...
and I'm Colton, and we're going to talk about the landmarks of Omaha.
One famous landmark is the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Omaha. At 3000 feet long, the bridge is the longest footbridge connecting two states. That means that you can walk from Nebraska, over the Missouri River, and into Iowa!
The bridge is meant to be a symbol of the unity between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha. It is named after former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerry, who got most of the money for the bridge from the United States government.
The bridge was started in October of 2006 and was finished on September 28, 2008. It cost $22 million to build.
Another landmark in Omaha is the Omaha Children's Museum. The Children's Museum is a very fun place for kids to go play, learn, and explore. It is a very imaginative environment.
There are two stories with fun, toys, games, crafts, and things to explore. The Charlie Cambell Science Center is awesome! The center has different machines that have interesting ways to move little plastic balls into a tank in the ceiling. When the siren sounds, the tank opens and dumps out all the balls inside it!
The lower level is the largest level with permanent exhibits. The upstairs changes throughout the year. Some exhibits that they have had include Speed and Sesame Street's Body exhibits.
We hope you enjoyed this part of our podcast! If you visit Omaha, be sure to check out these landmarks!
[music]
Emma: That was great, you two! Every visitor to Omaha should check those places out. Now it's time for Jake and Sabrina to come and talk about the weather!
Climate Corner
Hey, there! My name is Sabrina...
and my name is Jake...
and this is Climate Corner where we will talk about the weather in Omaha throughout the year.
I will start by telling you about winter in Omaha. Winter is like you are in an ice cube here. It can get very cold in the winter time. The average high temperature in winter is about 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low temperature is around 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Omaha gets lots of ice and snow in winter. Here's Jake with more about spring.
Thanks, Sabrina. Spring is usually warm, muddy, and rainy in Omaha. Green plants start to come back after a long winter.Our average high temperature for the spring months is right around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Our average lows are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during this season. Sabrina, can you tell us about summer?
Sure, Jake! Summer is the warmest season in Omaha. It can get very hot and sticky here in summer. Our average high temperatures are in the upper 80's, while the average lows are in the lower 70's. July and August are the hottest months. Temperatures can easily get over 90 degrees Fahrenheit! That makes these months great for going swimming and playing in the water! What can you tell us about fall, Jake?
Fall feels a lot like spring with less rain. The average high temperatures in the fall are in the mid-60's, while lows are usually in the 40's. Many of the trees in Omaha lose their leaves in the fall. The leaves turn all sorts of reds, yellows, and oranges before they fall to the ground.
If you are coming to visit Omaha, you should come in the summer time. There are lots of things to do outside, and the weather is usually very nice.
That's it for Climate Corner! Back to you, Molly and Emma!
[music]
Molly: The weather here sure does change a lot from season to season! It is nice to see all the changes. Next up is Elizabeth with Famous Friends.
[music]
Famous Friends
Hi! I'm Elizabeth, and this is Famous Friends!In this segment, you will hear about Preston Love, Malcom X, Henry Fonda, and Fred Astaire.
Let's start with Preston Love. Preston was a famous musician who came from Omaha. Her started playing the sax at age 15, and by age 22 he was a member at the Count Basie Orchestra, a jazz group, during the 1940s. When he got older, he played and wrote songs for many popular singers like the Temptations, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder. Preston Love died in 2004.
Next we'll hear about Malcom X. Malcom Little was born in Omaha in 1925. In the 1960s, Malcom Little changed his name to Malcom X to bring attention to the way African slaves were treated when they were brought to America to be slaves. Malcom X was a big leader in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. He was killed in 1965.
Now let's hear about Henry Fonda. Henry was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, about 2 hours west of Omaha. When he was a baby, his family moved to Omaha. As a young man, Henry began acting with the Omaha Community Playhouse. From there he went on to act on stage, television, and in the movies.
Finally, let's talk about Fred Astaire. Fred Astaire was born in Omaha. He grew up to be one of the best-known dancers in early movies.
Thanks for listening to Famous Friends!
[music]
Emma: Wow! I had no idea that so many famous people came from Omaha. We have sure learned a lot of interesting things about Omaha's past. Now let's talk about what is happening now! Carson and Weston are here to let us know what we can do for fun here.
[music]
That's Entertainment
Hi! I'm Carson!And I'm Weston...
And this is That's Entertainment!
One thing to do for entertainment in Omaha is to visit the Fontenelle Forest. Fontenelle Forest is a state park. They have different trails like the Racoon Trail and the Deer Trail. They have a playground and a boardwalk (if you don't like to touch the ground when you walk). They have a lot of trees, lakes, and a river, too. If you like the great outdoors, Fontenelle Forest is the place to be!
Another thing to do for fun is to visit a place in western Omaha called Boingz. Boingz is a really fun place. They have five different bouncy houses. One of them is a huge obstacle course. They also have an arcade. For $7 per child, you can bounce and run and play in their bouncy houses all day.
Next up is Skate Daze. As the name says, Skate Daze is a place to go skating. But they don't stop there! There are many other things that you can do at Skate Daze. Pick up your lasers, because Skate Daze has laser tag! It is a great game for both kids and adults. Skip the gym - the rock-climbing wall gives you all the workout you need! It builds strength in your arms and legs. If video games are more your thing, Skate Daze has a great arcade! There is a lot of stuff there to keep you entertained all day.
One final place to go for entertainment is The Amazing Pizza Machine. This pizza place has great food and much more! If you're too young to drive, you can cruise around on the go-kart track. They also have glow golf there! The Amazing Pizza Machine is a great place to go and hang out with your friends.
There are so many fun things to do in Omaha! These are just a few of the fun places you can go when you visit!
I'm Carson...
...and I'm Weston....
...and THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!
[music]
Molly: I think those boys really like video games! Every place had an arcade! You know one place I like to go for fun, Emma?
Emma: Where's that?
Molly: Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna! They have haunted houses, food, games, hay rides, pig races, and lots more! You can even pick your own pumpkin and apples! They're only open in the fall, but I look forward to going there every year.
Emma: You're right, Molly. Vala's is a really neat place. Lots of people visit it every year.
Molly: If your idea of entertainment is more along the lines of people hitting each other to control a puck or ball, then Omaha won't disappoint you, either! Here are Caleb and Mason to talk to you now about sports.
[music]
Sports Central
Hi, I'm Mason
and I'm Caleb
and this is Sports Central.
We've got some great sports teams here in Omaha, like the Beef football team.
And the Royals baseball team, which plays at Rosenblatt Stadium next to the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Football is a popular sport in Omaha. Many people here are big fans of the UNL Huskers. Even though the team plays its home games in Lincoln, many people from Omaha make the 60 mile drive to Lincoln to cheer on the Big Red. Eric Crouch was a quarterback for the Huskers who came from Omaha. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2001.
Besides college football, Omaha has its own professional football team. Founded in 1999, the Omaha Beef are celebrating their 10th season of indoor football in Omaha. The Omaha Beef play at the Omaha Civic Auditorium downtown. Besides the football team, the Omaha Beef also have a men's dance team called the Rump Roasters. The team's mascot is a bull named Sir Loin.
Every summer, the best college baseball teams meet in Omaha for the College World Series. For a week in June, Omaha has lots of activity as people come from all over the country to watch some really great baseball at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Omaha has other sports, too, including hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and many other college sports with Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
That's Sport's Central!
[music]
Emma: Thanks, boys! There really is a lot for sports fans here in Omaha! Next up is Nicholas with Leisurely Living.
[music]
Leisurely Living
Hi! I'm your city expert, Nicholas, and this is Leisurely Living.
There are lots of relaxing things you can do here in Omaha. We have parks for picnics, baseball games, pumpkin patches, zoos, and museums! Rosenblatt Stadium is great for watching minor league play from the Omaha Royals, or College World Series games in June.
The central park in downtown Omaha has huge slides. You can bring a bag and slide down for lots of fun! Omaha is great for these activities in the summer time because it is hot in the summer and nobody wants to stay inside on a hot summer day!
This is Nicholas and you have been listening to Leisurely Living.
[music]
Conclusion
Molly: Omaha sure is an interesting city! We're so glad that you have taken the time to listen to our podcast.
Emma: This podcast has been brought to you by Mr. Schmidt's third and fourth grade class at Gethsemane Lutheran School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Molly and Emma: Thanks for listening!
[music]